The government’s proposal to extend the age limit for ride-hailing vehicles from seven to 12 years will allow most cars currently providing the service to continue operating when the new law takes effect, Hong Kong’s transport minister has explained.

Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan on Sunday also said it would be inappropriate to specify the number of vehicles platforms should have due to the dynamic nature of the industry.

Her elaboration followed the government’s submission of the Road Traffic (Amendment) (Ride-hailing Service) Bill to the Legislative Council last week.

It was adjourned after the second reading and referred to the House Committee for detailed scrutiny, with authorities expecting the platforms to be operational by the fourth quarter of next year.

According to the government’s latest proposal, the maximum age for licensed ride-hailing vehicles has been extended to 12 years, a significant increase from the previously suggested limit of seven years to ensure a sufficient supply of vehicles while also maintaining safety.

“If we were to set the initial [vehicle] age limit at seven years, a large majority – more than half – of the drivers currently providing ride-hailing services would not meet this standard. It would hinder the supply of vehicles and would also affect the livelihoods of the drivers currently in service,” Chan told a television programme.